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Most kids don’t light up at the idea of going to the dentist (and that goes for many adults, too).

But regular dental care is a must for all children. According to the American Dental Association, kids should visit the dentist within six months after their first tooth appears and no later than their first birthday. What can you expect at your child's first dentist appointment?

The dentist will examine your child's baby teeth to look for tooth decay or other dental health issues

He will assess your child's risk for tooth decay

He should teach you how to properly clean your child's teeth

You and your child’s dentist can talk about habits, such as thumb sucking and misuse of sippy cups, which can harm your child's teeth

The Basics of Pediatric Dental Care

After your child's first dentist appointment, he or she should continue to have regular check-ups at least every six months. In some cases, such as with children who are at increased risk of tooth decay, your child's dentist may recommend more frequent visits.

Regular dentist appointments can help reduce your child's chances of having cavities since his teeth will be cleaned to remove plaque build-up and a fluoride treatment will be applied to strengthen the enamel of the teeth. The dentist will also examine your child's teeth, jawbones, and oral tissues to check for any potential problems.

Sometimes, children will need to have a cavity filled or other dental work done — but should you go through with it if your child still has her baby teeth? Dental work is necessary even for kids who still have their primary or baby teeth, since cavities can be painful, and healthy baby teeth are important to help your child chew food, speak properly, and guide permanent teeth into their proper position.

Making Kids' Dentist Appointments More Pleasant

As a parent, you can help calm your child's nerves and make each dentist appointment go more smoothly. The better experience children have, the more trust and security they will feel when visiting the dentist, which can promote a lifetime of good dental health.

Try these steps to help your child feel at ease about going to the dentist:

Choose a pediatric dentist. Pediatric dentists - dentists that specialize in children's dental health — are specially trained to calm anxious children. The offices of pediatric dentists are also often designed to be especially welcoming to youngsters.

Talk about the visit in advance. In a relaxed setting, calmly discuss the upcoming dentist visit with your child. Explain what might happen at the appointment and that the dentist can help keep your child's teeth bright and healthy.

Schedule a sneak preview. If your child is visiting a dentist’s office for the first time, ask if it is okay to stop by before the actual appointment. This will give your child the chance to get comfortable in the new surroundings before the check-up.

Stay close to young children. If your child is younger than four years old, it can help your child to have you nearby during the dental appointment.

As you prepare your child for an upcoming dentist appointment, remember that your attitude has a significant influence on your child's perception of the dentist. If the thought of dental work on yourself or your child makes you anxious, do your best to remain relaxed and calm when you talk about the dentist with your child. Researchers have found that having parents who have dental anxiety increases the risk of dental anxiety in young children.

They Help You Smile, Now Help Them Smile. Is your dentist one of America’s TOP dentists?Nominate your favorite dentist now.

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